Upholstery machine



June 4, 1935. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 M WM r a m ffm m VM,

June 4, i935. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w w www June 4, 1935- A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MACHINE 5 Sheeis-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 19, 1930 June 4, 1935.

A, s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 jszyf/vwzz June 4, 1935. A. s. MITCHELL 2,003,897

UPHOLSTERY MACAHINE Filed Feb. 19. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UPHOLSTERY MACHINE Allister s. Minnen, Detroit, Mich., assigner m National Automotive Fibres, Inc., Oakland, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application February 19. 1930, Serial Nn. 429,708

15 Claims. (Cl. 112-2) This invention relates to a machine and a tween the batts and the lining fabric wherein method for manufacturing upholstery, and is the looper-bars travel in substantially elliptical more particularly concerned with a novel methpaths and cooperate with the sewing-needles. od and novel mechanism for forming the seams The housing members for the looper-bars are of multi-pleat upholstery. carried by the lining-creasers and their uppeii 5 The primary object isA to provide an improved surfaces guide portions of the lining-fabric in machine and an improved method which will such manner that a single thickness thereof is facilitate the formation of seams in stuffed, united with two thicknesses of the cover fabric multi-pleat, or pleated, upholstery. Upholat each seam.'

stery of the kind described usually comprises a The forward ends of the ridge-bars fOr fOrm- 10 main or cover fabric, and a lining-` fabric united ing the ridge-seams in the cover fabric are prefby parallel seams and divided thereby into pleaterably provided With tips Which are readily Iefullnesses which are stuffed with batts. placeable in the event they are broken or de- The improved method for manufacturing formed during the operation of the machine.

upholstery of the kind described is preferably The invention is illustrated in a preferred 15 practiced by employing a machine which emembodiment in the accompanying drawings in bodies one form of the invention and comprises which:-

a frame having a vertically adjustable cross- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an upholsteryhead which carries a series of horizontally admaking machine embodying the invention; Fig.

00 justable sewing-heads equipped with sewing- 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the 20 needles; looper-bars which cooperate with the machine; Fig- 3, a fragmentary SGCOIlal View sewing-needles to form chain-stitch seams in taken as indicated at a line 3 on Fig. 2; Fig. 4,

nested seam-ridges, formed in the main, or an enlarged fragmentary plan View of the forcover, and lining fabrics of the upholstery, the ward end of one of the ridge-bars provided for stitches passing through two thicknesses of one forming the Seam-ridges in the COVBI fabric;

fabric and through a single thickness of the Fig. 5, a. fragmentary section taken as indicated other; mechanismI for feeding the main, on at line 5 on Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a fragmentary seccover, and lining fabrics continuously through tional View taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 2.

the machine; mechanism for advancing cotillustrating the arrangement of the lining-creaston-batts through the machine between the ers, the looper-bars and their housings, and the 30 cover and lining fabrics, the feeding means for means for actuating the louper-bars; Fig. 7, a

the batts being stopped at intervals to space broken sectional View taken substantially on the batts between adjacent sections of the upl'fh Same line aS Fg- 6, the lower-bar hOuSng holstery which are to be severed from each being shown in section and a cover-plate for other; pneumatic means coacting with ridgethe looper-bar actuating means being removed;

bars for forming the seam-ridges and vinterven- Fig. 8, a fragmentary plan elevation of one of ing depressed pleats, or pipes, in the cover the louper-bars; Fig. 9, a plan view of one of the fabric; means including creaser-bars for formhousing members provided for the looper-bars; ing the seam-ridges in the lining fabric, and Fig. 10, a fragmentary rear View of the mecha- 40 driving means whereby a cyclic operation of nism shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 11, a fragmentary 40 the machine is obtained. plan section taken as indicated at line Il of Fig.

The sewing-heads of the machine, which is 6, certain fonning-rolls having been omitted illustrated in the accompanying drawings and from Fig. 11 to permit better illustration of the 4 embodies the present invention, are not providlining-creasers and the ridge-bars; Fig.- l2, a,

ed with looper-needles in accordance with the front elevation of a'lining-creas'er, a ridge-bar, 45 construction employed in copending applicaa looper-bar and a looper-bar housing; Fig. 13, tions of Allister S. Mitchell, Serial Nos. 347,935 a fragmentary section taken as indicated at line and 427,205, led March 18, 1929, and Feb. 10, I3 of Fig. 3, illustrating the construction of the 1930 respectively. Instead, there are provided sewing-heads and the manner in which the sewlooper-bars, or needles, actuated and supported ing operations are performed, a cross-bar sup- 50 by mechanism which is-disposed between the porting the sewing-heads having been omitted paths -along which the lining fabric and the to permit illustration of forming rolls which batts are advanced to the sewing-heads, housengage the outer surface of the lining fabric; ing members being provided for the looper-bars Fig. 14, a fragmentary section taken as indiand arranged so that they provide spaces becated at line I4 on Fig. 13 and illustrating the 55 manner in which the looper-bars cooperate with the sewing-needles; Fig. 15, a perspective view (partly broken away) of a ridge-seam and the pleat fullnesses or outer side of it, the looperbar and sewing-needle being shown to illustrate the manner in which they cooperate to secure, or unite, one thickness of the lining fabric with two thicknesses of the cover fabric; and Figs. 16-19, diagrammatic horizontal sectional views illustrating the sewing operation.

While the invention has been illustrated in connection with a machine comprising certain features as pneumatic means, etc. for forming the ridge-seams in the lining and main, or cover, fabrics, it is to be understood that the invention is limited to such features only to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

In the embodiment selected for illustrating the invention, A designates the mainframe of the machine which is equipped near its front end with a vertically adjustable cross-head A', the frame being'provided (Fig. 3) with members A2 and A3; B, a suction conveyor device mounted in the bed of the machine and adjustably supported on the cross-members A2 and A3, said conveyor having associated therewith ridge-bars B' which serve to produce seamridges in the main fabric; C, a series of sewing mechanisms mounted on the cross-head A' and laterally adjustable thereon to enable the width of the pleats to be varied, the sewing mechanisms being actuated by a common shaft C; D, a thread-supporting device carried by the cross-head A;VE, E', a pair of front feed-rolls through which the upholstery is delivered from the machine, these rolls being actuated through the medium of change-speed gear mechanism E2; F, a forming-roll disposed back of and carried bythe lower portion of' the adjustable cross-head A', said forming-roll comprising longitudinally adjustable frustro-conical rollers or collars F' forming grooves through which the ridge-bars B' extend; G, a series of lining-creasers adjustably mounted on a transverse bar G carried by the bed'; H, H', a main pair of battfeeding rolls journaled in supports A4 carried by the bed; I, I', an auxiliary pair of battfeeding rolls journaled in the members A4, these auxiliary rolls being periodically arrested to cause severance of the batts; J, a shearing device upon which the batts are severed when the rolls I and I' are stopped; K, a deflector roll whose function is Ato direct the batts between.

the rolls H and H' when the feed of the auxiliary rolls is resumed; L (Figs. 1 and 2) an electric motor which actuates, through the medium of a chain or belt L', gear mechanism L3 of well-known construction; L3 a chain driven from the gear mechanism Lz and serving to actuate a shaft L4 which forms part of the gear mechanism E2; Lls a chain connecting the shaft L4 with a short parallel shaft L4, which, as more fully illustrated and described in the co-pending application, Serial No. 427,205, led Feb. l0, 1930 serves to actuate the shaft C' associated with the sewingmechanisms; L'I (Fig. 2) a chain driven from the lower feed-roll E and serving to actuate a shaft I..s which actuates a chain L which operates the auxiliary battfeeding rolls and the batt conveyor; L1", a chain driven by the shaft Ll which actuates a camshaft L11 equipped with a caxn L1a controlling a clutch member L13, the clutch member L13 be- .ing arranged to periodically operate a clutch L14 to control the driving of the chain L from the shaft L8 so that the auxiliary batt-feeding rolls I and I are periodically stopped to cause severance of the batts; L15 (Fig. 2), a chain driven by the front feed-roll E to actuate a shaft L1s which drives a chain L17 which actuates the suction conveyor; L18, a chain driven by the roll E to drive a shaft L19 from which vmotion is communicated through a gear device L20 to the forming-roll F; L21, a chain driven by the shaft L19 to actuate the main batt-feeding rolls lH and H'; L, a chain serving to drive the deflector shaft K 'from the auxiliary batt-feeding roll I; M, supporting means' for a main cover, or finish, fabric, mounted on the main frame and carrying a roll of cloth M', from which a supply is led over the suction conveyor B to ride on the ridge-bars B'; N', lining fabric being led forwardly in the manner shown in Fig. l; O, the strips of batting being led forwardly over a conveyor; P, a conveyor frame having its front portion supported on standards P' mounted on the bed of the machine; P2, an endless conveyor which carries the battsto the auxiliary-feed rolls I and I'.

The above described chains and shafts driven by the electric motor L, together with the cam L12 andthe clutch L14, are substantially identical in arrangement and construction and have the same functions as similar parts shown and described in copending application, Serial No. 427,205, filed Feb. l0, 1930, and, therefore, the functions thereof need not be described in detail in this application. Thus, the shaft C' which actuates the sewing mechanisms C is driven from the shaft L6 through the medium of other shafts (not shown) operatively connected to the shaft L and the shaft C and gearing identical with that shown and described in the last mentioned copending application is provided intermediate the chain L9, and the roll I and a roll 36 which form part of the batt conveyor P2 and actuates it.

However, the function of the shaft C differs somewhat from the function of the corresponding shaft shown and described in the last mentioned copending application, as in the present invention the sewing mechanisms C do not include louper-needles and means for actuating them, although in all other respects the sewing mechanisms C are preferably identical in construction and operation with similar mechanisms shown and described in the last mentioned copending application. 1

It may be mentioned that the sewing mechanisms C are pivotally suspended from brackets I'I which are adjustably mounted on the crosshead A' and that the actuating shaft C' is also journaled in said brackets. The sewing needles are designated I8, They are actuated by levers I8 which swing in a transverse plane. The sewing thread is designated I 8b.

In machines embodying the present invention, the louper-needles are preferably supported and operated independently of the sewing-mechanisms C, although they are actuated in synchronism. The louper-needle associated with each sewing-head is designated I9 and is preferably formed integral or attached to a louper-bar I 94 disposed within a housing member I 9. The looper-needle thread is designated |91.

As best shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, the housing members |9 are preferably formed integral with, or rigidly secured to the lining-creasers G, and each looper-bar I 91 has its back end slidably journaled in a block I0*l connectedby a link I9e to a lug I 9f depending from the transverse bar G. A lever |98 is provided for each looper-bar I9a and one end thereof is pivotally connected to the louper-bar, the lever |98 being fixed to a shaft I9h extending transversely and positioned above the lining-creasers G. The shaft I9h has its ends journaled in brackets I9j mounted on the frame A and is provided with a lever I9k operatively connected by an adjustable arm I9un with an eccentric I9 actuated by a shaft I9 extending parallel to the shaft I9h and journaled in the brackets |91. Obviously, when the shaft I9o is rotated, the eccentric I9n will oscillate the shaft I9h to reciprocate the looper-bars I9* through the medium of the levers I9,

ISP designates a series of eccentrics mounted upon and actuated by the shaft |90, each eccentric I9p being operatively connected with a looper-bar I9a by an arm I9. Each arm I9s is provided with a pin I9 engaging a slot I9" in the associated louper-bar. The arrangement is such that when the shaft I9u is rotated, the looper-bars I9n will be actuated in such manner that the looper-needles I9 will travel in substantially elliptical paths.

It will be noted that the shafts I9h and I9 are positioned intermediate the paths along which the lining fabric and the cotton-batts travel to the sewing mechanisms C.

The lever |98 and the arm I9s project through relatively Wide shallow grooves I9x formed in side surfaces of the lining-creasers G, the grooves I9x being provided with cover-plates I9y (see Figs. 6 and 7) The means for actuating the shaft I9 comprises a bevel gear 'I5 fixed to one end of the shaft; 16, a bevel gear which is actuated by a shaft I'I journaled in one of the brackets |91, and 18, a chain actuating the shaft 11 and actuated by the shaft L4 (see Figs. 1 and 2).

As the fabrics move through the machine, the lining fabric N' has formed therein seam-ridges 20 (see Figs. 13 and l5), and the main fabric M has formed therein U-shape seam-ridges 2| which become nested with the seam-ridges 20. Each seam ridge 20 formed in the lining fabric N' comprises a substantially at seam portion 2IJa positioned adjacent and in contact with one wall or leg of the associated seam-ridge 2|, formed in the main fabric M. The sections or pleats of the lining fabric N Vthat lie between the seam portions 20L are designated 2|)b and are heldat an angle to the main fabric M' during the sewing operation. As best shown in Fig. 13, each section 2|)b extends from the upper edge of a seam portion 20 to the bottom edge of the adjacent seam portion 20". The lining fabric N' is shaped in this manner by the forming-roll F and by laterally adjustable shoes 6I carried by the cross-head A'. When the lining fabric N is disposed in this manner with respect to the main fabric M', it is obvious that the sewing-needles I8 will each pass through a single thickness of the lining fabric and through two thicknesses of the main fabric. As shown, the forward ends of the housing members I9c are substantially triangular in cross-section and are arranged in such manner that they hold the cotton-batts spaced from the seam-ridges and provide spaces wherein the sewing-needles I8 may cooperate with the looper-needles I9 without becoming entangled with the batts, a wall of each housing member being apertured to permit passage of the associated sewing-needle therethrough.

In the sewing operation, each sewing-needle and its associated looper-needle cooperates to produce a double thread chain-stitch, which is familiarly known in the trade as a chainlock stitch. This stitch and the manner in which it is formed by a sewing-needle and its associated louper-needle I9 are illustrated in Figs. '7, 14-19.

The louper-thread I9 advances to the looperneedle through a groove provided in the associated lining-creaser G, the louper-thread being withdrawn from a spool 8| mounted on the conveyor frame P and being drawn over a pin 82 also mounted on the conveyor frame P and through a tension device 83 mounted in'arms 84 carried by the sewing-thread supporting device D (see Fig. 1). From the groove 88, the louper-thread passes through a groove cut in the upper surface of the louper-bar, the thread being retained in the groove by pins 86 (see Fig. 9) extending transversely of the groove. From the groove 85, the louper-thread passes through holes 88 and 89 drilled in the forward end of the looper-bar and then through a hole drilled in the forward end of the looper-needle (see Fig. 14). The louper-needle I9 is formed by providing a U-shaped end at the forward end of the louper-bar, the construction being such that the forward end of the looper-needle points in the opposite direction to that in which the forward end of lthe looper-bar points.

The sewing-thread I 8h is preferably advanced to the sewing-needle I8 in the same manner as it is advanced to the corresponding sewing-needle shown and described in the last-mentioned copending application, the sewing-thread being trained through a hole drilled in the forward end of the sewing needle.

In Figs. 15-19, the sewing-thread I8b is shown in light lines and the louper-thread I9b is shown in heavy lines. In Fig. 16, the louper-needle I9 is shown near the end of its forward thrust but is retracted therefrom as indicated by the arrow, and it will be observed that the sewingneedle I8 is about to pass through the ridgeseam which comprises one -thickness of the lining fabric Nv and two thicknesses of the main fabric `M', the thickness of that seam portion previously designated as 20.

Fig. 17 shows the sewing-needle I8 passing over the forward end of the looper-needle I9 but under the looper-thread I9b disposed above the looper-needle.

Fig. 18 shows the looper-needle I9 advancing in its forward thrust and the sewing-needle I8 passing beneath the looper-needle, the looperneedle being disposed between the sewing-needle and that portion of the sewing-thread I8b which passes above the sewing-needle. On this forward thrust, the looper-needle carries its loop through the sewing thread loop.

Fig. 19 shows the sewing-needle I8 withdrawn and the looper-needle advancing to bring the looper thread loop again to the position shown in Fig. 16. A

From the description given, it will be understood that the invention provides for the catching and positive withholding of the looperthread loop so as to insure the passing of the sewing-needle through the looper-thread loop at every thrust ofl the sewing-needle.

The mechanism lin advance of the liningcreasers G for advancing the lining and main fabrics, andthe cotton-batts, and the mecha- A nism in advance of the lining creasers G4 for forming seam-ridges and intervening pleat-fullnesses in the main, or cover, fabric are substantially identical with similar mechanisms shown and described in the last-mentioned copending application and need not be described in detail.

The lining creasers G, the forming roll F and the forward ends of the ridge-bars B' are of different vconstruction and must be described in more detail. n

The suction conveyor B (Fig. 3) comprises a hollow rectangular frame 5 which is openI at its top and is connected to an exhaust pipe 6; 5d a foraminous belt which passes about rollers' 5b and 5 journaled in the frame, the belt being arranged to travel over the open top of the frame;'and 1, a roller which drives the belt 5d and is actuated through the medium of the sprocket chain L1".

The suction pipe 8 connects with the intake portion oi' a fan or blower I5 operated by an independent motor I6 (Fig. 1),.

The ridge-bars B have their ends connected with the cross-bars A2 and A3 by, means of bolts I2 adjustably connected with T-slots with which the upper edge portions of the crossmembers are provided. This permits the bars to be adjusted to correspond with the width of the pleats. 'I'he ridge-bars extend through the grooves of the forming-roll F in a manner which will be best understood from Fig. 13. The ridge-bars also extend through grooves formed between tlie adjustable shoes 6| carried by the cross-head A'. At their forward ends, the ridge-bars B are provided with replaceable tips which fit in slots |0| cut through the ridge-bars (see Figs. 4 and 5), the tips |00 having notches |02 through which the sewingneedles I8 travel. The ridge-bars B are preferably T-shaped in cross-section and their forward ends are connected for lateral adjustment upon the cross-bar A2. Screws |04, provide means for rigidly securing the tips |00 in the slots |0| (see Fig. 3). This construction is advantageous as it permits the tips to be readily replaced if they are broken or deformed during the operation of the machine.

The lining creasers G are disposed over the ridge-bars B and are provided with Y-shaped portions 30 at their back ends, which portions 30 have upper inclined surfaces 30a for guiding the edges of the batts onto inclined surfaces I9x formed upon the housing members |9 and upon inclined surfaces 30b formed on the sides of the lining-creasers G opposite to the sides -thereof to which the housing members |9 are secured (see Figs. 6 and '1). These surfaces I9I and 30b serve to properly guide the batts as they approach the forming-roll F. The liningcreasers extend into the grooves 29 of the forming-roll, the grooves 29 being formed by the frustro-conical rollers F'.

The lining fabric N passes to the forming- 4roll F from the vroller 3| mounted at the front end oi'- the frame P. This roller is provided with tion to receive the seam-ridges of the finish fabric M'. i

In Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 7, the cross-head A', the forming-roll F and the sewing-heads C are shown raised above their normal positions so that the forward ends of the ridge-bars B' do not pass through the grooves 29 provided between the frustro-conical rollers F and do not pass through grooves or notches 6|* provided between the adjustable shoes 6|. This is merely for the purpose of better illustration.

Fig. 13 illustrates the forming-roll F, the sewing-heads C and the shoes 0I in their functionally operative positions with respect to the ridge-bars B'. When the forming-roll F is in its functionally operative position with respect to the ridge-bars B', each of the rollers F' depresses the batt passing underneath it so that one edge of the batt is urged downward to engage a cam surface |I0 provided upon the associated housing member |9c and is further depressed thereby so that it will ride along the lower surface of the housing member (see Figs. 6, 9 and 13). The remaining portion of the top surface of each batt is held depressed between the ridge-bars B by the associated roller F', and the associated shoe 6| which has an inclined lower surface conforming to the taper of the roller F.

The operation of the machine may be described briefly: Assuming a partial vacuum obtains in the suction conveyor through the action of the blower I5, this conveyor operates to feed the main, or cover, fabric through the machine and form it into seam-portions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, the main, or cover, fabric being properly gathered and shaped over the ridgebars B by the suction exerted through the belt a. The batts are carried by the batt-conveyor P2 to the auxiliary batt-feeding-rolls I and I', from which the batts pass over the shearing device J and thence through the main batt-feeding rolls H and H'. The lining fabric N' passes over the roll 3| provided with the spaced collars 3|, which collars may be adjusted to correspond with the spaces between the seam-ridges. The lining fabric has the seam-ridges 32 preparatorily formed therein in passing over the spaced collars 3|". These seam-ridges persist, more or less, until they encounter the creasers G which direct them properly into the grooves of the forming-rolls F. In passing between the forming-roll and the pneumatic conveyor, the seamridges of the two fabrics become properly nested andthe batts become properly positioned in the pleats as they are formed. The seams pass underneath the sewing-mechanisms, each of which operates in such manner that a single thickness of the lining-fabric is sewed to two thicknesses of the main, or cover, fabric. The upholstery then passes on through the front feed-rolls E and E', which are preferably geared to speed slightly faster than the other feeddevices. The batts are severed at intervals by the severing device J in a manner more fully described in the last mentioned copending application, so that the lining and cover fabrics may be subsequently severed at the same points to divide the upholstery into units.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an upholstery machine: means for feeding fabric and forming seam-portions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, the seam-portions of one fabric being of U-form; and sewing mechanisms adapted to unite the seam-portions, each sewing mechanism comprising a transversely reciprocating sewing-needle working through one thickness solely of one fabric at its seam-portion and through two thicknesses of the other fabric at its seam-portion, and a looper needle working in the space between the superposed fabrics and co-acting with said sewing needle.

2. In a machine of the character set forth; means for feeding fabrics; means for subjecting one of said fabrics to fiuid pressure to form seam-portions and intervening pleat-fullnesses therein; sewing mechanism including a sewingneedle working through one thickness solely1 of one of said fabrics and through two thicknesses of the other, and a louper-needle working between the fabrics and co-acting with said sewing-needle.

3. Ina machine of the character set forth: means for feeding fabrics and forming seamportions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, the seam-portion of one fabric being of U-form; sewing mechanisms adapted to unite said seamportions, each sewing mechanism comprising a transversely reciprocating sewing-needle working through more thicknesses of one fabric than of the other, said needle working through the U-form seam-portion; and a looper-needle working between the superposed fabrics and coacting with each of said sewing-needles.

4. In a machine of the character set forth: means for feeding fabrics and forming seamportions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, the seam-portions of one fabric being U-form; sewing mechanisms for uniting the seam-portions, each sewing mechanism comprising a transversely reciprocating sewing needle working through a U-form seam-portion in one fabric and a single 'thickness of the other fabric, and looper-bars operating in the space between the superposed fabrics and equipped with backwardly extending louper-needles coacting with said sewing needles.

5. In a machine of the character set forth: means for feeding fabrics and forming seamportions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, the

-seam-portions of one fabric being of U-form;

sewing mechanisms for uniting said seam-portions, each sewing mechanism comprising a sewing-needle working through said fabrics, said sewing-needle being mounted to reciprocate in a plane extending transversely of said U-form seam-portions; housing members disposed between the superposed fabrics and over which one of said fabrics is advanced; and looperneedles working in said housing members and coacting with said sewing-needles.

6. In a machine of the character set forth: means for advancing fabrics along converging paths and for forming seam-portions and intervening pleat-fullnesses; sewing mechanisms for uniting said seam-portions, each sewing mechanism comprising a sewing-needle working through said fabrics; looper-needles working in the space between said fabrics and coacting with said sewing needles; and mechanism disposed between said converging paths for actuating the looper-needles.

'7. In a machine of the character set forth:

mediate the paths along which said fabrics are advanced; sewing mechanisms for uniting said fabrics, 'each sewing mechanism comprising a sewing-needle working through said fabrics; looper-needles disposed between said fabrics and coacting with said sewing-needles; and means disposed between the path of said batts and the path of one of said fabrics for actuating said looper-needles.

8. In a machine of the character set forth: means for advancing fabrics and forming seamportions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, means for advancing batts intermediate the fabrics, sewing mechanism for uniting the fabrics, each sewing mechanism comprising a sewing-needle working through the fabrics; louper-bars having louper-needles disposed between the fabrics and coacting with said sewing-needles; a shaft extending transversely to the paths through which the fabrics are advanced; a second shaft parallel to the first-mentioned shaft; an eccentric on said second shaft for oscillating the first mentioned shaft, means actuated by the firstmentioned shaft for reciprocating said looperbars; means actuated by the second shaft for swinging said looper-bars to raise and lower said louper-needles, and means for rotating said second shaft.

9. In an upholstery machine: means for feeding a plurality of fabrics and continuously and simultaneously forming longitudinally extending seam-portions and intervening pleat-fullnesses therein, the seam-portions of one fabric being of U-form; and sewing mechanisms adapted to unite the seam-portions of one fabric with those of the other, each sewing mechanism comprising a sewing needle reciprocating transversely of said fabrics to sew through both thicknesses of one of said U-form seam-portions and through a single thickness of the other fabric at its corresponding seam-portion, and a louper-needle working in the space between the superposed fabrics and co-acting with said sewing needle.

10. In a machine of the character set forth: means for advancing a plurality of fabrics, means for subjecting one of said fabrics to uid pressure to form U-shaped seam-portions and intervening pleat-fullnesses therein; and means for sewing the two thicknesses of each of said U-shaped seam-portions to a single thickness of the otherfabric.

11. In a machine of the character set forth: means for advancing a fabric and for forming U-shaped seam portions and intervening pleatfullnesses therein; means for advancing a second fabric in a path vconverging with the path through which the first mentioned fabric is advanced; means for advancing batts in a path intermediate the paths along which said fabrics are advanced; sewing machanisms for uniting said fabrics, each sewing mechanism comprising a sewing-needle working through one of said U-shaped seam-portions and through a single thickness of the other fabric; looperneedles disposed between said fabrics and coacting with said sewing-needles; and means disposed between the path of said batts and the path of one of said fabrics for actuating said louper-needles.

12. In a machine of the character set forth: means for advancing fabrics and forming seamportions and intervening pleat-fullnesses therein, the seam-portions in one fabric being U- form; means for advancing batts intermediate the fabrics; sewing mechanisms for uniting the` fabrics, each sewing comprising a sewing-needle working through both thicknesses of one of said u-form seam-portions and through a single thickness of the other fabric; looper-bars having loopen-needles disposed between the fabrics and co-acting with'said sewing-needles; 'a shaft extending transversely of the paths through which the fabrics are advanced; a second shaft parallel to the firstmentioned shaft; an eccentric on said second shaft for oscillating said first-mentioned shaft; means actuated by the first mentioned shaft for reciprocating said looper-bars; means actuated by said second shaft for swinging saidv looperbars to raise and lower said louper-needles; and means for rotating said second shaft.

13. In a machine of the character set forth: means for advancing a cover fabric; means for advancing a lining fabric; means for feeding batts between said fabrics; and a plurality of sewing mechanisms for sewing spaced seams in said fabrics extending longitudinally thereof, each sewing mechanism comprising a sewing'- needle working through both fabrics. means forming a working space betweeen one of said fabrics and a batt. and a looper-needle operating in said working space and co-operating with said sewing-needle.

14. In a machine of the character described, in combination. mechanism for feeding two sheets of fabric into superimposed relationship and for feeding a plurality of strips of padding material between said sheets, and mechanism including stitch-forming instrumentalities extending between the sheets for sewing said sheets together along parallel lines between said padding strips.

15. In a machine of the character described, in combination, mechanism for feeding two sheets of fabric in superimposed relationship and for feeding parallel strips of padding material between said sheets, means for forming a seriesof parallel folds in one of said sheets between said padding strips and means including stitch-forming instrumentalities extending between the sheets for sewing said folds to the other sheet.

ALLIS'IIR S. MITCHELL. 

